Nasal liquid-inhaler.



E. CLARK.

NA8AL LIQUID INHALER.

APILIOATIOI FILED SEPT. 16. 1914.

E PAMINONDAS CLARK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

NASAL Liomn-mHALnn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Potent-ed Mar. e, 1915.

Application ine September 16, 1914. Serial No. senses.

T all whom it may concem Be it known that I, EPAMINDNDAS CLAnK, a citizen of the United Stzitcs of America, residing in the borough of Queens, city of New York, in the county-of Queens and State of New York, have invented a. certain new and useful Improvement in Ne'sal Liquid-Inhalers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

My invention relates to apparatus or devices for, use in the treatment .of the nasal membranes and thrlolit for the prevention or cure of catarrh, hay fever, .ancl' similar troubles.

Heretofore various atoinizing or spraying devices havebe n employed; also douches and irrigators, for forcing liquid into the nasal passages through the nostrils. It is impossible to .efiectivcly reach all the nasal cavities with a spray and it is also impossible to effectively force liquid into and fill the nasal cavities againstthe resisting'pressure of air contained therein.

An important object of my invention is to fill the nasal cavities with medicinal liquid,

and, in this connection, a more particular object is to remove. the air from the nasal. cavities by the inhaling power of the lungs, with the head bent forward, so that ntmos pheric pressure will fill the nasal cavities with the cleansing or curative liquid and free escape of air backward to the lungs is permitted, and also so that'the liquid can be retained in the nasal cavities.

Another object of my invention is a highly sanitary construction having few parts of such materiel and construction that they will not readily collect unsanitary accumulations and which can he quickly and thoroughly sterilized.

Other objects of my in\-'ention are durai lty, simplicity of construction, inexpensiveness or manufacture, convenience and comfort in use, portability, and other oh jects and advantages which will hereinafter appear.

My invention includes features of con struction and combination of parts, as wall appear from the following description.

nasal liquid inhaler with the cover cap removed and as held for use. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the complete device. Fig. 3 is s central vertical section of the same.

The'nasal liquid inhaler embodying my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises. in combination, three separable parts, all of which are preferably made of glass, and that is the material indicated in the drawings. A liquid-container orliquid-containing receptacle 1 is shown as of general bottle form, hevingc'slightly inwardly curved bottom a prouiding'a flat annular peripheral hose, polygonal slightly upwardly tapered side Wells 5, and a short twpered cylindrical necl-z 6 providing a com pcrotively wide mouth at the top of the container 1, the neck 0 being joined to the side walls I) by a small oil'set or shoulder 05, I

the neck 0 being shown as having an outer annular groove at its A straight in'iperforete sir-excluding liquid-conveying and liquid-inhaling suction tube 2, open at both ends, is supported in a substantially upright position 'inthe container l and projects at its upper end from the mouth of the container. At -its upper end, the inhaling tube 2 is provided with a rounded upwardly tapered bull) s, forming an inner liquid-holding enlargement and being of conc-shape for slightlyientering the nostril (Fig. 1), the bulb e being of suilicient size to form air-excluding fluidtight communication at the nostril {with the nasal passages. Below the terminal. tapered bulb c, a narrow annular constriction or throat seg'iuratcs the hull) c from a cylin.

dricnl liquidholding enlargement or reservoir shown as of a it the same diameter as the largest dim'ne v1r of the hull) e, the length of the reservoir being shown as nearly the some as that of thehul'o The reservoir 51 gradually merges by rounded curves into a. downwardly tapered lower stem 1:, the stem it being shown as of a little more than one-hull"? total length of the inhaling tube The inhaling tube 2 is shown es having wells of substantially uniform thickness tl'iroug'hout.

At the lower end of the It the wall of the-stern is longer at one place on the stem than it is at another place, so to provide for the free entrance of the liquid at the bottom of the stem at the sides of the longer portion of the Wall with the tube 2 resting on its. lower nd sunoorted on the bottom a of the liquid-container 1, as appears in the drawings. In the inhaling tube 2 illustrated in the drawings, the lower end of the stem h is shown as beveled so as to provide a notch for the free ontrance of the liquid from the container 1 to the lower end of the stem h of the inhaling tube 2. The liquid-admitting opening prm vided through this notch at the lower end of the stem 1: should be of asv great area as the lower end'of the stem. b, so that the liquid can flow freely into the stem h of the inhaling tube. 1

. The liquid-holding enlar ement or reservoir g is shown as locate mostly in the neck 0 of the container 1, and the'upper liquid-holding terminal bulb e is shown as projecting upward above the top of the neck a, the throat f being just above the top of the container 1. The inhaling tube 2 fits loosely in the'neck a forming the mouth of the liquid-container 1, as clearly appears in Fig. 3, so that this tube may be freely lifted out of or inserted in the-container 1 and also so as to provide free entrance of atmospheric 'air to the container 1 at the mouth of the container around the inhaling tube 2. The upwardly tapered bulb e projects sul'liciently from the mouth of the liquid-container 1 for convenient use, as indicated in'Fig. 1,

without any interference of the container:

A slightly upwardly tapered cup-shaped cover cap 3 fits closely over the top of the container 1, forming a closure therefor and inclosing and completely covering the inhaling tube 2, a tapered ground joint being provided between the outer tapered surface of the neck a and the inner flaring coiiperative surface of the cover cap 3. Besides forming a tight closure for the container 1, inclosing the inhaling tube 2, the cover cap may be conveniently used as a small cup for gurgling the throat. q

In the operation of the device, the liquidcontainer l-is filled convenientl of ,reventative or curative liquid an the inha ing tube 2, previously removed, is placed therein. The container 1 is made of the correct s ze or capacity to contain the tity of the liquid for one inh'a ation, an extra. supply of the liquid being kept in a se arate suitable larger receptacle or bott e. For convenient use the container should be held in the hand with the tapered bulb e tightly in the nostril at the'same side, and the other nostril closed by pressure of the thumb of the other hand, the forefinger of the same hand conveniently being placed at the other side of the nose at'the bridge of the nose (Fig. 1), in position ready for use to press upon and close that nostril to'retain the liquid after the inhalation iscom-' plted. The end of the forefinger or the thumb, as illustrated in Fig. 1, of the hand holding the container 1 should be pressed roper quaninto the' depression formed at the outside of the inhaling tube 2 by the throat f, to hold the tube-firmly and also to draw the inhal- 'ing tube 2 away from the nostril after theinhalatiomas otherwise it might have a tend ency to "stick, particularly by reason of the pressure of the finger in closing vthe nostril. The head should be inclined well forward, such as with the chin upon the chest (Fig.

1), and all of the medicinal liquid, an ounce or more, drawn up by a single deep inhala tion. The forward position of the head will enable the air, without liquid, to pas back into the lungs and the liquid will run down ward and forward and fill the nasal cavities,

where it may be readily retained for any do sired length of time, for example, from one to two minutes, in actual intimate contac with the lining membranes ,of the nasal passages and cavities. It should be noted-that the head must be inclined forward in order to use the device of my invention, and that the devices commonly heretofore employed can-'- bent forward.

72., having the liquid entrance at its lower end, the reservoir enlargement g, the restricted throat f and the tapered liquid holding bulb e'all contribute to this result of enabling the use of all the liquid from the container 1 and; inhaling tube 2, and also contribute to rendering the, elevation of the liquid easy. The enlargement g and bulb e, particularly the former, both act as secondary reservoirs or liquid holders for the liquid. In. starting the inhalation, the Y container 1 being full, so that the level or upper surface of the liquid ishigh, the liq- 'u1d is correspondingly easily drawn up through the inhaling tube 2 into the nose;

and the liquid-holding enlargementor reservoir. g and nostril-closing bulbe are filled -out of the first easily drawn up liquid. As

the inhaling continues, the container 1 is first emptied, the inhaling tube 2, including the bulb c and reservoir 9, being still filled with the liquid. The inhalation continuing, atmospheric air raises the liquid up' the comparatively small stem h and then successively impels the liquid up from theliqiiidholding enlargement or reservoir g and bulb e. The short distances which these rcserve supplies or secondarysupplies ofg'the liquid are lifted from the rescrvoirg zlnd bulb e, make the last of the inhalationbliort much easier than if the last remnant of, the

liquid had to be elevated from the-bottom a 1 assage into the throat H of the container 1 at the lower end of the stem 9. The constriction. or throat f in preventing the last of the liquidv from breaking up into separated drops or spray and the consequent entrance of air into the nose with the liquid, the effect of which would be to strangle the user.

It should be noted that the entire construction is such that the complete device may be kept in sanitary condition. The device admits of easy packing for shipment or for the user to carry with him, and when not in use the device is merely set aside, all the interior parts, including all surfaces of the inhaling tube 2. being protected from dust. All surtaccs of the three glass parts of the device may be readily washed and sterilized. It is obvious that various modifi cations may be made in the construction shown in the drawings and above particularly described within the principle and scopeof my invention.

I claim:

1. A nasal liquid inhaler comprising a substantially straight liquid-inhaling suction tube open at both ends and having at its upper end a liquid-holding bulb having a constriction forming a throat below the bulb -,and havingan enlargement forming a liq- ,uid-holding reservoir below the throat.

2. A nasal liquid inhaler comprising a liq- Hid-container having a mouth at the top, and a substantially straight liquid-inhaling suction tube open at both ends loosely sup ported in the container and. projecting at its upper end from the mouth of the container, the inhaling tube having at its upper end a bulb tapered toward the open upper end of the inhaling tube to form fiuidtight communication with the nasal passages at the nostril, the inhaling tube also having a re duced lower stem and a liquid-holding enlargement forming a reservoir above the stem, and having a constriction separating the reservoir and the bulb, a free entrance for the liquid being provided to the stem at the lower end of the inhaling tube and the inhaling tube fitting loosel in the mouth of the container to provide free entrance of air to the container.

3. A nasal liquid inhaler comprising a substantially straight liquiddnhaling suc tion tube open at both ends and having at its upper end a bulb tapered toward the o en upper end of the inhaling tube to form fluid-tight communication with the nasal passages at the nostril, the inhaling tube having a liquid-holding enlargement form ingg a reservoir below the bulb and a coin st'riction separating the. bulb and the reservoir, tho inhaling tube having a reduced stem below the reservoir.

l. A uasal liquid inhaler comprising a liquii'l-containcr having a mouth at the top, and a substantially straight liquidinhaling suction tubc open at both ends loosely supported on the bottom of the container and projecting at its upper end from the mouth of the container, the inhaling tube having a lower stem, the wall of the stem being longer at one place than at another place to provide an opening for the free entrance of tho liquid to the inhaling tube with the inhaling tube resting on the end of the stem and having; at its upper end a bulb tapered toward the openupper end of the inhaling tube to form fluid-tight communication with the nasal passages at' the nostril, the inhaling tube fitting looselv in the mouth of the container to provide free entrance of air to the container.

5. A nasal liquid inhaler comprising a liquid-container having a mouth at the Hip, a substantially straight liquidinhaling suction. tube open at both ends loosely supported on the bottom of the container and projecting at its upper end from the mouth of the container, the inhaling tube having a lower stem, the wall of the stem being longer at one place than at another place to provide an opening for the free entrance of the liquid to the inhaling tube with the inhaling tube resting on the end of the stem and having at its upper end a bulb tapered toward the open upper end of the inhaling tube to form fluid-tight communication with the nasal passages at the nostril, the inhaling tube fitting loosely in the mouth of the container to provide free entranceof air to the container, and a cupshaped cover cap fitting closely over the top of the container to form a closure therefor inclosing the inhaling tube.

A nasal liquid inhaler comprising a liquid-container having a mouth at the top, and a substantially straight liquid-inhaling suction tube open at both ends loosely supported on the bottom of the container and projecting at its upper end from the mouth of the container with sufficient looseness to provide free entrance of air to the container, the inhaling tube having throughout substantially the lower half of its length a.

gradually downwardly tapered stein provided at its lower open end with longer and shorter wall portions for the free entrance of the liquid to the tube beneath the shorter wall portion with the tube resting upon the longer wall portion, the inhaling tube having a liquid-holding enlargement forming a reservoir into which the upwardly flaring stem. gradually merges, a constricted throat above the reservoir, and a terminal bulb above the constricted throat, the bulbbeing tapered toward the open upper end of the tube to form fluid-tight communication with the nasal passages at the nostril.

7. A nasal liquid inhaler comprising a substantially straight liquid-inhaling suc tion tube open at both ends having at its stem into which the reservoir gra end from the mouth of the container,

open upper end an upwardly tapered. bulb, having a constriction forming a throat below the bulb, having an enlargement form ing a reservoir below the constricted throat, and having a downwardly tapered lower dually merges, the wall of the stem at the lower end being longer at one place than at another to provide for free entrance of liquid to the lower end of the stem with the inhaling tube supported on such longer portion of the wall of the stem.

8. A nasal liquid inhaler comprising a liquid-container having a mouth at the top, and a substantially straight liquid-inhaling suction tube open at both ends supported in the container and projecting at its upper end from the mouth of the container, the inhaling tube having at its upper end an upwardly tapered bulb, having a constriction forming a threat below the bulb, having an enlargement forming a reservoir below the constricted throat, and having a reduoed stem extending downward from the reservoir to the lower end of the tube a free entrance for the liquid bein provi ed to the stem and a free entrance or air being provided to the container at the mouth of the container.

9, A nasal li uid liquid-container aving a mouth. at the top, a substantially straight liquid-inhaling suction tube open at both ends supported in the container and projecting at its upper the inhaling tube having at its upper end an. upward y tapered bulb, having a constriction forming a throat below the bulb, having an enlargement forming a reservoir below the constricted throat, and having a re duced stern extending downward from the reservoir to the lower end of the tube, a

inhaler comprising a.

free entrance for the liquid being provided to the stern and a free entrance or air be ing provided. to the con r at the mouth of the container, and shaped rap tin closely over the top of the container ecting end oi the inc osing the upper pro},

inhaling tube.

10. A nasal li uid inhaler comprising a liquid-container iaring a. neck at the top piroviding a mouth, a substantially straight 'quidinhaliug suction tube open at both ends and supported at its lower end upon the bottom of: the container and projecting from the mouth of the container at its 11 er end with sullicient loosencss to provide ree entrance of air to the container at its mouth, the inhaling tube having at its upper end an upwardly tapered nostril-closing bulb above the top of the container, the inhaling tube having a constriction forming a throat below the bulb, the inhaling tube having a liquid-lnildingk enlargement form mg a reservoir below t in restricted throat,

and the inhaling tube having a gradiiaily downwardly tapered reduced stem into which the liquid-holding reservoir gradually merges, the stern being suhstrutiaily one-half the entire length of the inhaling tube, the lower end of the wall of the stem projecting farther downward at one place than at another to provide for free entrance of liquid to the lower end of the stern, and a separable closely over the neck of the container and forming a closure for the container and in closing the inhaling tube.

In testimony whereof I have ufiixcd my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EPIiMlNON DAS CLARK.

W itnesses WM. ASHLEY KELLY, HARRY C. LEWIS.

cup-shaped cover cap Sitting 

